4 players the Carolina Panthers were smart to stay away from in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers were right to avoid Mitchell Trubisky
Sam Darnold’s first season as quarterback of the Carolina Panthers started well enough. However, a return to the form we saw plenty of throughout his first three seasons with the New York Jets quickly followed and it appears as if influential figures within the organization have already seen enough.
Darnold has the arm strength to make almost every throw imaginable. But there is much more needed to become a successful NFL signal-caller – something the USC product has found out to his cost since entering the league.
Carolina made no secret of their desire to move on from Darnold this offseason. Although this is something they are currently backtracking on with limited options remaining in free agency and the trade market as well as some significant questions about the upcoming draft quarterback class.
One of the primary names on the free-agent market was Mitchell Trubisky, another high-end draft selection who bombed on the Chicago Bears before backing up Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills last time around.
Some time away from the limelight has people interested in the North Carolina product once again, which led to a quick deal agreed to become Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement on the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is absolutely no doubt about how big of an opportunity this is for Trubisky, but whether he can capitalize on it is another matter entirely.
The Panthers couldn’t afford to take on another reclamation project with Darnold and his $18.85 million guaranteed still on the books. This is a terrible predicament and simply put, one they brought on themselves.